AT THE BEGINNING OF THE NEW MILLENNIUM, WE SET OUT ON AN AMBITIOUS JOURNEY.

Armed with our intellects, our energy, and a bold vision for the future, we launched a process to realize the mission of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in new and tangible ways. We conceived and implemented The Rensselaer Plan, to bring new meaning, and new substance, to the question we ask ourselves as the first technological university in the nation: “Why not change the world?”

We began our journey of transformation where necessity demanded. We have made major investments in our people, programs, platforms, and partnerships; and, together, we have brought about a true Renaissance at Rensselaer. These investments have enabled us to transform Rensselaer into a top-tier technological research university with global reach and global impact. That transformation serves as a solid foundation on which we will build even greater achievements in the future.

Our journey of transformation continues, under The Rensselaer Plan 2024. In the same spirit as its precursor, the revised Plan is evergreen, prepared to grow and evolve, as the Institute grows and evolves. In advancing The Rensselaer Plan 2024, we are moving from transforming Rensselaer to Rensselaer being transformativetransformative in our students’ lives; transformative in our innovative pedagogy, nationally and internationally; transformative in the global impact of our research.

As we anticipate the bicentennial of Rensselaer Polytechnic Institute in 2024, we look forward to addressing the Global Challenges that face the world of the 21st centuryto change lives, to advance society, and, indeed, to change the world.